Method and apparatus of excavation



March 21, 1967 J. T. FARMER 3,310,124

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF EXCAVATION Filed April 13, 1964 Sheets-Sheet l o 0 0 0 waning l2 EY f YEJEE Q l4 I :law 4 I6 15 I80 38 40 E INVENTOR.

John 7. Farmer BY 0% JW ATTORNEY March 21, 1967 FARMER METHOD AND APPARATUS OF EXCAVATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1964 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

John T. Farmer A TTORA IEY March 21, 1967 J. T. FARMER METHOD AND APPARATUS OF EXCAVATION Filed April 13, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

John 7. Farmer Maw; Q1. W A TTOR/VEY M r h 21, 1 67 J. T. FARMER 3,310,12

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF EXCAVATION Filed April 13, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. F/G. 5 John 7. Farmer BY madam, f QWyM A? TVUIWVEV 3,310,124 METHOD AND APPARATUS F EXCAVATION John T. Farmer, 447 S. Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Gkla. 74112 Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,343 11 Claims. (Cl. 175-7) This invention relates to improvements in a method and means for excavation and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a method and means for facilitating the digging of holes of relative large diameters.

There is an increasing demand today for excavations of large holes extending relatively deeply into the earth. Many installation sights for our defensive missiles, and

the like, require these large excavations and the deep holes are often as great as 80 feet in diameter and many times much larger. One common method in use today for the digging of these deep large diameter holes is a blasting method wherein a plurality of relatively small holes are drilled or bored into the earth and spaced throughout the area to be excavated. These holes are then loaded with suitable explosive materials such as dynamite, or the like. The loaded holes are then suitably connected with detonating devices for simultaneously setting oif the explosive materials or charges for the blasting operation. Subsequent to the blasting, the debris loosened thereby must be removed from the area and this usually requires heavy load moving or earth moving vehicles due to the size of the operation. As the excavation pro ceeds and the hole being created becomes deeper, the problem of removal of the debris loosened by the blasting becomes greater and greater. Thus, this method is not only expensive, but it is slow and diflicult.

The present invention contemplates an improved method and means for excavating large diameter bores in the earths surface which greatly reduces the time and expense involved. The novel method of excavation is initiated by the drilling of a small bore of a relatively small diameter at the approximate center of the area to be excavated. This small central hole which is preferably of a diameter of approximately 12 inches, but not limited thereto, may be drilled in any well-known manner as is commonly practiced in the oil well drilling industry today. This hole is drilled into the earth to a depth of the desired finished excavation and a casing or pipe may then be set in the bore or hole in any well-known manner with approximately a ten foot length of the casing extending above the ground level. Subsequent to the setting of this centrally disposed casing the surface of the earth surrounding the casing and extending to the desired overall diameter of the excavation may be dug out in any well-known manner to create a small or shallow lake or pond which may be filled with Water.

Suitable barges are then disposed in the water and are so arranged as to extend radially outwardly from the central pipe or casing to the outer circumference of the excavation. The barges are provided with air hammers or drills which extend downwardly from the barges into contact with the surface of the ground or the water. As the barges float in the water and are rotated about the central casing, these air or pneumatic hammers are actuated for breaking up the bottom of the artificial lake which has been created around the central pipe. Pumping equipment is also carried by the barges and moves around the central casing simultaneously with the drilling barges for pumping the liquid from the proximity of the bottom of the artificial pond into settlement tanks which are also disposed in the water. The, fluid pumped into the settlement barge is a mixture of water and earth materials and the earth materials settle by gravity in the bottom portion of the settlement tanks. As the debris or settlings accumulate in suflicient quantities within the settlement tanks they are removed therefrom in any suitable manner, such as by an auger and hoisting bucket.

As the drilling barge rotates around the central casing, substantially the entire area to be excavated is drilled or cut away simultaneously and the accumulated residue is removed from the excavation site continuously. It is contemplated that this excavation method will be semiautomatic in that only two or three men will be required in the excavation: two of the men in association with the barges'for overseeing of the operation of the drill pumps, settling tanks and the like, and the third man at the surface of the ground to operate any surplus equipment required for supplying air to the drilling hammers and for operating the hoisting equipment for removal of the settlings from the settling tank.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel method and means for the excavating of large diameter holes in the surface of the earth in a manner greatly reducing the cost and time required therefor.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel method and means of excavating large diameter holes in a manner whereby removal of the debris loosened during the excavating process is greatly facilitated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method and means for excavating large diameter bores wherein substantially the entire surface area being excavated is broken up in a continuous operation whereby interruptions of the drilling operation are greatly reduced.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel method and means for the excavation of large diameter bores which is semi-automatic and requires a minimum of manual supervision.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel excavating method and means which is simple and eflicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan View of an excavating apparatus embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1 with portions thereof depicted in elevation for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of a pumping barge such as may be utilized with the invention and depicted in a body of water.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged diagrammatical end elevational view of a modified drilling barge of the invention and depicted in a body of water.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the modified embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a drill mounting as may be used in the invention.

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of an auger device which may be utilized with the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly FIGURES 1 through 4, reference character 10 generally indicates an excavating apparatus which may be utilized in the excavating method of the present invention. In the particular embodiment depicted in FIG- URES 1 through 4, the apparatus 10 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed drilling barges 12 and 14 which extends radially outwardly from a centrally disposed casing 16. A pair of oppositely disposed pumping barges 18 and 20 are disposed at substantial right angles .to the drilling barges 12 and 14 and extend radially outwardly from the central casing 16 interposed between the barges 12 and 14 as clearly shown in FIGURE 1.

The barges 12, 14, 18, and 20 are preferably of an overall length substantially equal to the desired radius of the bore 22 being excavated by the apparatus 16. The barges 12, 14, 18, and 20 may be of any suitable construction as depicted in FIGURE 1 for floating in water 23. The inwardly directed ends 12a, 14a, 18a, and 29a of each barge 12, 14, 18, and 20, respectively are tapered at an angle complementary to the adjacent barge whereby each barge may be secured around the casing 16 in any suitable manner in order that all of the barges may rotate therearound simultaneously for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The drilling barges 12 and 14 are preferably substantially identical in construction and are provided with a plurality of spaced pneumatic drills and air hammers 24. The drills 24 are spaced along one edge portion 26 of each barge 12 and 14 and along the opposite edge portion 28 thereof, in such a manner that the drills on the edge portion 28 are staggered or positioned in substantial alignment with the space between the drills 24 extending along the edge portion 26. It will be apparent that this staggered relationship for the spacing of the drills 24 will result in drilling or cutting away of substantially the entire radial dimension of the bore 22 for which the barges 12 and 14 are being utilized in the drilling operation. The drills 24 are also spaced around the tapered inwardly directed portions 12a and 14a of the barges 12 and 14 respectively and are so spaced as to assure a drilling of the earth immediately surrounding the casing 16 as the barges 12 and 14 are rotated therearound. In addition, a plurality of compressors 30 are carried by the barges 12 and 14 for supplying air or pneumatic fluid to the drills 24 for operation thereof in the usual manner. It is preferable to provide at least two of the compressors 36 for each barge 12 and 14, with one of the compressors 30 being suitably connected with the drills spaced along the edge 26 and the conter' minous edge of the tapered portion of the barge and with the other compressor 30 suitably connected with the remaining drills which are spaced along the edge 28 and the conterminous edge of the tapered portion. The connections for the header or air supply and the manifold between the compressors 30 and the respective drills 24 may be of any well known type and are omitted from FIGURE 1 for reducing confusion in the illustration.

It may be desirable to provide a ballast tank 32 on each of the barges 12 and 14 in order to receive suitable ballast (not shown) to regulate the floating depth of the barges in the water 23. In addition, a drive mechanism generally indicated at 34 is carried by each barge 12 and 14 and as depicted in FIGURE 1 comprises a suitable roller 36, such as a sheeps foot roller, journalled on a shaft 38 which is carried by a suitable mounting bracket 40 carried by the respective barge 12 and 14. The roller 36 is preferably driven by an air motor (not shown), but not limited thereto. The rollers 36 are disposed on the surface of the earth being excavated and as the rollers are rotated about the shaft 38 they are propelled along the bottom of the excavation for driving the barges 12 and 14. The connection of the barges 12 and 14 with the central casing 16 causes the barges to move in a circular direction as they are propelled by the rollers. The engagement between the tapered or angular end portions 12a and 14a of the barges 12 and 14, respectively, with the tapered end portions 18a and 20a transmits movement to the drilling barges 18 and 20 whereby the entire apparatus is rotated about the central casing 16.

The pumping barges 18 and 20 are preferably of a substantially identical construction and are each provided with a plurality of suitable pumps 42. A plurality of settling tanks 44 are provided on each barge 18 and 20 for receiving fluid from the pumps 42 as will be hereinafter set forth. The tanks 44 are preferably movably secured in an endless track 46 provided on the barges 18 and 20 whereby the tanks 44 may be removed from the barges when it is desired to discharge the contents thereof. The pumps 42 may be of any suitable type and as depicted in FIGURE 3 include a shroud portion 46 which dips into the water in a similar manner as a vacuum cleaner. The under or lower surface of each pumping barge 18 and 20 is preferably of an arcuate or concave cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG- URE 3 to provide a longitudinally extending concave portion or recess 48. The shroud 46 of each pump 42 extends downwardly into the recess 48 and is thus disposed in the water 23 and at a position in the proximity of the bottom surface 52 of the excavation 22. A suitable impeller 50 is provided for each pump 42 and, when in operation, pulls the water 23 or fluid mixture through the shroud 46 for discharge into the tanks 44 through suitable conduits 54, as indicated by the arrows in FIG- URE 3. The conduits 54 extend from the pumps 42 to the particular tanks 44 being filled during the operation of the apparatus 10, as will be hereinafter set forth. The conduits 54 have been omitted from FIGURES 1 and 2 for purposes of illustration.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a modified drilling barge 12a is depicted which is generally similar to the drilling barges 12 and 14. The barge 12a is provided with a row of spaced pneumatic drills 24a extending along to opposed edges 26a and 23a as hereinbefore set forth with regard to the barges 12 and 14. However, the barge 12a is provided with an additional row of pneumatic drills 25 therearound which are spaced inwardly from the drills 24a in order to provide an increased drilling action during operation of the apparatus 10. Of course, the spacing of the drills 25 may be staggered with respect to the spacing of the drills 24a to assure an efficient drilling coverage of substantially the entire surface area of the bottom 52 of the excavation 22.

The drilling barge 12a is also provided with a plurality of compressors 36a to supply fluid pressure for the drills 24a and 25 as is well known. It is preferable that a header or fluid supply conduit 56 and a manifold conduit 58 be secured in the proximity of each complementary row of drills 24a and 25 in any well known manner (not shown). One of the compressors 30a may be connected with one of the headers 56 through a suitable conduit 60 and the header 56 is, in turn, connected with the associated rows of drills 24a and 25 through condui-ts 62 and 64 for supplying fluid to the drills for operation thereof, as is well known. The exhaust ports (not shown) of the rows of drills 24a and 25 which are supplied with power fluid by the conduits 62 and 64 are connected to the manifold 58 by suitable conduits 66 and 68. A second of the compressors 30a (not shown in FIGURE 4) may be connected with a second header 56 through a conduit 70 for supplying fluid thereto and the header 56 may in turn be connected with the associated rows of drills 24a and 25 by conduits 72 and 74 for supplying power fluid thereto. The drills 24a and 25 which are supplied with power fluid by the conduits 72 and 74 have the exhaust ports thereof (not shown) connected with the manifold 58 by suitable conduits 76 and 78, thereby manifolding the exhaust from the drills 24a and 25 in order to reduce noise, Which may be a serious problem particularly when the excavation gets deeper into the earth. In addition, the manifolds 58 may be arranged in order to direct the exhaust therefrom upwardly for discharge out of the excavation 22.

The drills 24 (or 24a and 25) may be of any suitable type and are preferably pneumatically actuated and of the air jack hammer type which are capable of handling a five or five and one-half inch bit 80. In using this size drill bit, it is preferable that the drills be spaced along the barges with approximately five inch spacings therebetween and, of course, with one row of drills being staggered with respect to the other. Additional drills may be necessary in excavating operations through hard formations wherein the cutting speed might be reduced. In addition, a rubber cone 82 may be utilized with each drill to preclude passage of fluid into the interior of the drills.

Excavation method The method of excavation in accordance with the present invention comprises an initial step of drilling a vertical pilot bore hole preferably of approximately a twelve inch diameter, but not limited thereto. This initial hole or bore may be drilled in any well known manner as is commonly used for the drilling of oil well bores, and the like, and it is desirable that this hole be drilled to a depth of approximately two feet greater than or below the desired overall depth of the large excavation, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2. The desired overall depth of the excavation 22 is depicted in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. Subsequent to the drilling of this initial pilot hole, a suitable casing 16 is set therein in the usual manner with approximately ten feet of the casing 16 extending above the surface of the ground. Suitable guy wires 84, or the like, may be utilized if desired, for stabilizing the portion of the casing 16 extending above the surface of the ground.

The next step in the excavation operation is to excavate the surface area of the earth or ground surrounding the casing 16. The surface should be excavated in a circular area having a diameter substantially corresponding to the desired overall diameter of the excavation 22 with the casing 16 being utilized as the center thereof. This surface area may be removed in any well known or conventional manner such as by the usual digging machines, or the like, and should be excavated to a sutficient depth for receiving and retaining water, thus creating an artificial lake immediately surrounding the casing 16. This recessed area may then be filled with water to a depth of two or three feet, or the addition of water may be delayed until the next step in the operation is completed, if desired.

Subsequent to the creation of the aritficial pond, the barges 12, 14, 18, and 20 are to be utilized in the excavation operation may now be set in the recess around the casing. As herebefore set forth, these barges may be set in the dry recess and the area may be filled with water, or the recess may be filled with water and the barges floated in the water around the casing 16.

As herebefore set forth, the drilling barges 12 and 14 are preferably of an overall length substantially equal to the radius of the large hole 22 being dug and are set in the excavation in such a manner as to extend radially outwardly in opposite directions from the center casing I 16. The pumping barges 18 and 20 are similarly disposed in the excavation 22 and as shown in FIGURE 1 are interposed between the drilling barges 12 and 14 at substantially right angles thereto. Whereas the settlement tanks 44 are depicted as being mounted on the pumping barges 18 and 29, it is to be understood that separate settlement barges may be utilized which are independent from both the pumping and drilling barges if desired.

The drive mechanism 34 may be utilized for rotating the drill barges and pumping barges around the central casing 16 in the manner of the spokes of a Wheel. The roller 36, being disposed on and bearing against the lower surface 52 of the excavation 22, drives the respective drilling barge around the casing 16 and this movement is transmitted to the pumping barges through the complementary tapered end portions thereof. The pneumatic jack hammers or drills 24 are actuated in the usual manner by the compressors 30 as the apparatus 10 is rotated around the casing 16. The staggered spacing of the complementary rows of drills results in a breaking up of substantially the entire surface area 52 as the apparatus 10 rotates continuously about the casing 16.

The pumps 42 may be activated for pumping the sludge or a water-mud mixture from the proximity of the bottom 52 as the apparatus 10 is rotated'during the excavation operation. This fluid mixture is directed to one or more of the settlement tanks 44 and as the fluid accumu lates in the settlement tanks 44, the heavier portions thereof will settle by gravity to the bottom of the tanks. As the settlings accumulate in the tanks 44, the tanks may be manually removed in any well known manner from the track 46 and the contents thereof may be discharged from the site of the excavation. This continuous removal of residue from the excavation site permits the drills to be maintained in substantially continuous operation. It 'wil be apparent that the speed of the excavation operation may thus be greatly increased.

In drilling conditions wherein particularly hard formations are being removed, the cutting speed may be re duced. In this event, additional drills 24 may be added to the drilling barges and it is preferable that these drills be started on the apparatus 10 at a distance of approximately one-third the length from the center of the drilling barge or radius of the excavation with the additional drills being spaced therealong in a wedge shape to the outside of the barge or outer diameter of the circle. This will equalize the radial cutting of the drills per revolution of the apparatus 10. v

The center hole (not shown) in the drill bit and drill stem which are required in conventional drilling operations will not be necessary with the improved method of the present invention since the bit 80 will not be drilling a vertical hole the size of the bit. The depth of the cut per revolution of the apparatus 11} will be governed by the material of the formation that is being excavated. In some instances, the formation may be so soft that the drills will cut the material faster than the pumps can handle it. It is further anticipated that a balancing tool may be added or included to govern the depth of the cutting per revolution of the apparatus 10. v In addition to permitting the barges 12, 14, 18, and 20 to float in the excavation, the purpose of providing water for the drilling apparatus 10 is two-fold: first, the Water functions as a circulation medium for the pump; and second, with the utilization of this water there will be substantially no dust problem which would otherwise work against the maintenance of the equipment. As hereinbe-fore set forth, the exhaust from the drills is directed through a manifold type muffler to reduce the vibration and noise in the excavation during the operation of the apparatus 10. The exhaust gasses may be discharged into the water 23 or may be directed vertically upward in order that the heat of the gasses will be exhausted from the top of the excavation.

The jack hammer drills .24 may be attached to the barges in any well known manner, such as by a track device similar to that utilized with the wagon drill in use today sold under the name of LeRoi-Westinghouse. The size and number of drills per barge may be increased or decreased in accordance with the size or overall length of the barges being used.

When the drilling ring or apparatus 10 has completed the drilling operation to the desired depth such as indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2, the apparatus 10 may be disassembled and hoisted to the surface a piece at at time in a reverse manner in which it was assembled in the beginning of the operation. It is estimated that the time required for assembly and disassembly of the entire apparatus 11 would be approximately 4 hours each, and the estimated time for completion of any excavation comparable to present day missile installations, or the like, would be approximately seven days from. the time that the drilling apparatus 10 is assembled in the excavation regardless of the formation of the earth materials and the size of the excavation.

Modified embodiment which may be utilized in the present method of excavation, the modified structure shown in FIGURES through 8 schematically illustrate a preferred embodiment of the excavation apparatus. Reference character 90 generally indicates an excavation apparatus comprising a pair of spaced, elongated barges 92 and 94 disposed on opposite sides of the central casing 16 and extending substantially throughout the length of the diameter of the excavation 22. The barges 92 and 94 may be secured in spaced relation in any suitable manner such as by transversely extending spacer members (not shown) whereby the two barges will move or rotate as a unit around the casing 16, as will be hereinafter set forth. A plurality of pneumatic drills 96 are secured to the inwardly directed edge portion 98 of the barge 94 and are preferably longitudinally spaced therealong from a position in the proximity of the casing 16 to a position in the vicinity of the outer extremity of the barge, as particularly shown in FIGURE 6. A plurality of similar pneumatic drills 100 are provided along the inwardly directed edge portion 102 of the barge 92 and are preferably in staggered spaced relation ship with respect to the drills 96. It is also preferable to provide a pneumatic drill 104 substantially centrally disposed between the barges 92 and 94 and secured at the outer extremity thereof for assuring a drilling or cutting of the entire surface area of the bottom 52 of the excavation 22 during the drilling or excavation operation.

A plurality of mud pumps 106 are disposed between the brakes 92 and 94 and may be secured therebetween in any well known manner (not shown). The mud pumps 106 may be of any suitable type, and are preferably disposed on the opposite side of the casing 16 with respect to the rows of drills 96 and 100. The mud pumps 106 extend into the water 23 and preferably to a position in the proximity of the bottom 52 of the excavation 22, as clearly shown in FIGURE 5. The intake portion of the pumps thus pulls fluid from the vicinity of the drilling area for removing the water-mud mixture from the bottom of the excavation during the excavation operation.

A settlement barge 108 is secured to the outer edge 110 of the barge 94 in any suitable manner (not shown), and a substantially identical settlement barge 112 is similarly secured to the outer edge '114 of barge 92. The settlement barges 108 and 112 may be of any suitable construction and as particularly shown in FIGURES 6 and 8, preferably comprise a barge portion 116 having a settlement tank or basin 118 carried thereby. Each pump 106 is in communication with only one of the settlement barges 108 or 112 through suitable conduits 1 20 and 1 22, respectively, whereby the fluid mixture removed from the bottom of the excavation by each of the pumps is discharged separately into the barges 108 and 112. The conduits 1120 and 122 direct the fluid mixture into a distribution chamber 124 of each settlement barge whereby the particle laden fluid or water is discharged evenly into the settlement basin 118 of the respective barge. A mud auger 126 of any suitable type is mounted in each settlement basin 118 by means of a suitable support structure 128 and is preferably angularly disposed with respect to the horizontal, as shown in FIGURE 8. The sidewalls of the settlement basin 118 are eliminated in FIGURE 8 for purposes of illustration in order to more clearly depict the mud auger 126. T he upper surface 130 of the auger housing 132 is open and is therefore in communication with the interior of the settlement basin 118. The mud auger 126 may be actuated by any suitable means (not shown) and is preferably only in operation at such times as required for removal of settled particles, as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, a chute member 134 is hingedly secured at 136 to one end of the auger 126 for receiving the settlings therefrom and for discharge of the settlings into a bucket, or the like (not shown), which may be hoisted to the surface of the excavation 22 in any suitable manner (not shown) for removal of the cuttings and debris from the excavation site.

The drills 96 and may be of any suitable type, and are preferably of the pneumatic jack hammer type. Referring to FIGURE 7, the drills 100 may be secured to the edge portion 102 of the barge 92 by means of a \pneumatic sinker 138 whereby the drill bits 140 of each drill 100 are disposed adjacent the bottom 52 of the excavation 22. It is also preferable to provide an adjustable counterweight member 142 for each pneumatic sinker 138 and associated drill 100 to determine the depth of the cut of the bit 140 during the drilling or excavation operation. Suitable compressors (not shown) for supplying power for the pneumatic sinkers 138 and associated drills 100 may be carried by the barges 92 and 94, in a manner as set forth in the first embodiment. However, in the drilling of relatively small diameter holes, such as forty foot radius, or eighty foot diameter, it is preferred to install the compressors at the surface of the ground surrounding the excavation 22 with the compressors being connected with the sinkers 138 through suitable conduits (not shown). The drills 96 may be similarly secured to the edge portion 98 of the barge 94.

A drive mechanism generally indicated at 144 (FIG- URE 6) is secured to the barge 94 in any suitable manner, such as by the support bracket 146 and functions to rotate the entire apparatus 90 around the central casing 16, as will be hereinafter set forth in detail. The drive mechanism 144 as depicted herein comprises a heavy or weighted roller 148 having a tapered outer periphery adapted for riding along the bottom 52 of the excavation 22. A variable speed drive apparatus 150 is connected with the roller 148 to provide a control for the speed of rotation of the roller which in turn controls the rate of speed for the rotation of the apparatus 90 around the casing 16.

It is to be noted that the barges 92 and 94 are preferably of a sectional construction in order that the overall length of the barges may be either shortened or lengthened in accordance with the desired diameter of the excavation 22 to be drilled. In addition, it is anticipated that in the drilling of an excavation in hard formations, a second or auxiliary drilling barge (not shown) similar to the drilling portion of the barges 92 and 94 may be added to lessen the work load on the main or primary drilling barges 92 and 94. This secondary drilling barge may start at a position approximately two thirds of the distance of the radius of the bore 22 from the central casing 16, and will function to keep the cutting area at substantially the same level at all times during the drilling or excavation operation. When drilling through hard formation, it may be possible to eliminate the stationary or set casing 16. In this instance, the pilot hole or bore would be drilled as hereinbefore set forth, and to a depth greater than the anticipated depth of the excavation, and the casing 16 may be secured to the center of the spaced barges 92 and 94. The casing will be rotatably disposed in the pilot bore to guide the rotation of the apparatus 90 and will move downwardly therein with the barges 92 and 94 during the drilling operation.

It is preferable that the fluid mixture in the settlement tanks 118 be maintained at a consistency approximately the same as wet cement or slurry. The mud auger 126 is preferably activated upon the accumulation of a suflicient quantity of sludge or residue in the settlement basin 118 and picks up the accumulated mud for carrying thereof to the chute 134, Where it is dumped into a bucket (not shown) for removal from the excavation site. The auger 126 will be operated only when the settlings have accumulated within the settlement basin 118 to a depth as determined by the open upper surface 130 of the housing 132.

In the drilling of relatively small diameter holes such as those having a forty foot radius, as hereinbefore set forth, it may be desirable to install the compressors at the ground level rather than on the drilling barge. The compressors may be connected with the drills for opera tion thereof through suitable conduits (not shown) as is well known. In this instance, the drilling apparatus 90 will be rotated through an angle of -three hundred sixty degrees in one direction and then reversed for rotation through three hundred sixty degrees in an opposite direction, with the rotation being in alternate directions throughout the drilling operation. This will preclude tangling of the compressor hoses during the excavation process. If the compressor hoses become too short or run out of slack, the drilling operation may be interrupted for a short period of time in order that additional sections may be added thereto in accordance with the length of hoses required.

In order to increase the efiiciency of the pumps 106, a pair of radially extending pipes (not shown) may be carried by the barges 92 and 94 in the general proximity of the pumps and disposed in the water 23 for directing a stream of fluid, such as water, in a direction toward the bottom 52 of the excavation. One the radially extending pipes may be used during rotation of the apparatus 90 in one direction and the other of said pipes may be utilized upon rotation of the apparatus 90 in a reverse direction. Each of the radially extending pipes may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures so arranged as to direct the fluid stream from the pipe in a downwardly angular direction toward the bottom 52 of the excavation in a manner whereby the action of the fluid stream will force the cuttings to move upwardly through the water 23 in a direction toward the pumps for increasing the pick-up function thereof.

Whereas pneumatic drills or jack hammers have been depicted herein, itis to be understood that suitable vibrating drills, or ultra-sonic type drills may be utilized for the cutting of the bottom of the excavation during the circular sweep of the barges as the drilling apparatus is rotated about the central casing. In addition, it is anticipated that the method and apparatus of the present invention may be utilized in the drilling of longitudinally extending excavations, such as wide ditches, or the like. In this instance, the drilling apparatus will be moved in a longitudinal direction instead of being rotated.

From the foregoing it Will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a novel method and means for the excavation of large bores in the earth wherein a radially extending drilling barge, or barges, are rotated about a central casing for substantially continuously drilling the bottom of an artificial lake created at the site of the desired excavation. Pumping means is utilized in association with the drilling barges for continuously removing cuttings, sludge, and residue from the vicinity of the drilling area and discharging the mixture into settlement tanks wherein the heavier particles settle by gravity therein and may be removed from the excavation site. The novel method and means of drilling requires only approximately thirty-five percent of the air pressure for operation of the drills as required in present day conventional drilling operations utilizing this type of drill. The entire drilling operation may be maintained substantially continuously until the desired excavation depth is reached, thus providing a large diameter and relatively deep bore in a minimum of time and expense.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of excavation consisting of drilling an initial vertical bore, providing a pivot means in the vertical bore, floating a drilling means around the pivot means rotating the drilling means about the pivot means to provide a large diameter excavation therearound, and removing the residue of the drilling from the excavation substantially continuously during the drilling of the excavation.

2. A-method of excavation consisting of drilling an initial vertical bore, providing a pivot means in the vertical bore, providing a recess in the surface of the area surrounding theinitial bore, floating a drilling mechanism in the recess, rotating the drilling mechanism in the recess and about the pivot means to provide a large diameter excavation therearound, and removing the residue of the drilling from the excavation substantially continuously during the drilling of the large diameter excavation.

3. A method of excavation consisting of drilling an initial vertical bore, providing an initial recess in the surface of the area surrounding the initial bore, floating a drilling mechanism in the recess, radially drilling the bottom of the initial recess continuously moving the drilling mechanism about the initial here to provide a large diameter excavation, and removing the residue of the drilling substantially continuously during the drilling of the excavation.

4. A method of excavation which consists of drilling an initial vertical bore, setting a casing in the vertical bore, providing a recess in the surface of the area surrounding the casing, floating a drilling means in the recess, moving the drilling means through a circular path around the casing for cutting away the bottom of the recess in a substantially continuous drilling operation, and removing the cuttings from the recess substantially continuously during the drilling operation.

5. A method of excavation which consists of drilling a vertical pilot hole, setting a casing in the pilot hole, providing a substantially circular recess surrounding the casing, floating drilling barge means in the recess, rotating the drilling barge means through a circular path about the casing for drilling the bottom of the recess in a radial path in a substantially continuous drilling operation, and floating pumping barge means in the recess for removal of the residue of the drilling operation from the bottom of the recess substantially continually throughout the drilling operation.

6. A method of excavation which consists of drilling a vertical pilot hole, setting a casing in the pilot hole, providing a substantially circular recess surrounding the casing, floating drilling and pumping and settlement basin means in the recess, rotating the drilling means around the casing for cutting away the bottom surface of the recess in a radial path in a substantially continuous drilling operation, pumping the cuttings from the drilling operation from the recess into the settlement basin means substantially continuously during the drilling operation, and removing the residue of the cuttings from the settlement basin means.

7. In an excavation apparatus, an elongated drilling barge rotatably disposed in the excavation, a first row of longitudinally spaced pneumatic drills provided on the drilling barge, a second row of longitudinally spaced pneumatic drills disposed on the drilling barge in staggered relationship with respect to the drills of the first row, means carried by the drilling barge for supplying fluid power for operation of the pneumatic drills, pumping barge mean-s rotatably disposed in the excavation and movable simultaneously with the drilling barge, a plurality of pumps provided on said pumping barge for removing cuttings from the bottom of the excavation during the operation of the drills, settlement tank means provided in association with the pumps for receiving the cuttings therefrom.

8. In an excavation apparatus, barge means rotatably disposed in the excavation, a plurality of spaced pneumatic drills provided on the barge means and extending radially in the excavation throughout substantially onehalf the diameter thereof, drive means carried by the barge means for rotation thereof in the excavation, said drills operable for cutting a radial path through a circular sweep along the bottom of the excavation upon rotation of the barge means, pump means carried by the barge means for removal of cuttings from the bottom of the excavation, settlement basin means carried by the barge means and movable therewith, said pumping means in communication with said settlement basin means for discharging the cuttings into the settlement basin means whereby residue therefrom will settle by gravity in the settlement basin means, and means carried by the settlement basin means for removal of accumulated residue therefrom.

9. In an excavation apparatus, a pair of spaced elongated barges rotatably disposed in the excavation, a plurality of spaced first pneumatic drills carried by one of said barges, a plurality of second pneumatic drills carried by the other of said barges and spaced in staggered relationship with respect to the first pneumatic drills, said first and second pneumatic drills operable for cutting a radial path through a circular sweep upon rotation of the barge means for cutting away the bottom of the excavation in a substantially continuous drilling operation, a plurality of pumps carried by the spaced barges and operably for removing cuttings from the proximity of the bottom of the excavation substantially continously during the drilling operation, a settlement basin provided for each pump and carrier by the barges, each of said pumps being in connection with one of said settlement basins for discharging the cuttings thereto whereby the residue of the cuttings will settle by gravity in the settlement basins, and anger means carried by each settlement basin for removal of the accumulated residue from the excavation.

10. In an excavation apparatus as set forth in claim 9, means provided for each pneumatic drill for determining the depth of the cut thereof during the drilling operation.

11. In an excavation apparatus as set forth in claim 9, drive wheel means carried by one of said barges and bearing against the bottom of the excavation for rotating the barges within the excavation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 554,510 2/1896 Hill 37-65 1,610,372 12/1926 Hansen 7 1,668,671 5/1928 Dailey et a1. 3758 2,160,761 5/1939 Spadaro 37-58 3,024,852 3/1962 Jewell 61-40 3,169,590 2/1965 Thatcher 175-96 FOREIGN PATENTS 197,767 11/1957 Austria.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF EXCAVATION CONSISTING OF DRILLING AN INITIAL VERTICAL BORE, PROVIDING A PIVOT MEANS IN THE VERTICAL BORE, FLOATING A DRILLING MEANS AROUND THE PIVOT MEANS ROTATING THE DRILLING MEANS ABOUT THE PIVOT MEANS TO PROVIDE A LARGE DIAMETER EXCAVATION THEREAROUND, AND REMOVING THE RESIDUE OF THE DRILLING FROM THE EXCAVATION SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUSLY DURING THE DRILLING OF THE EXCAVATION.
 7. IN AN EXCAVATION APPARATUS, AN ELONGATED DRILLING BARGE ROTATABLY DISPOSED IN THE EXCAVATION, A FIRST ROW OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PNEUMATIC DRILLS PROVIDED ON THE DRILLING BARGE, A SECOND ROW OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PNEUMATIC DRILLS DISPOSED ON THE DRILLING BARGE IN STAGGERED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO THE DRILLS OF THE FIRST FOW, MEANS CARRIED BY THE DRILLING BARGE FOR SUPPLYING FLUID POWER FOR OPERATION OF THE PNEUMATIC DRILLS, PUMPING BARGE MEANS ROTATABLY DISPOSED IN THE EXCAVATION AND MOVABLE SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE DRILLING BARGE, A PLURALITY OF PUMPS PROVIDED ON SAID PUMPING BARGE FOR REMOVING CUTTINGS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE EXCVATION DURING THE OPERATION OF THE DRILLS, SETTLEMENT TANK MEANS PROVIDED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE PUMPS FOR RECEIVING THE CUTTINGS THEREFROM. 